Good thought, but when I connect my DVD Component cable direct to the TV and switch the TV input from HDMI to Component -- essentially taking the 863 out of the mix -- it works. So it's definitely something the 863 isn't doing or isn't set right for and I can't figure it out.

I've tried everything that I can think of. I've checked the cable connections, hooked the dvd directly to the TV (works fine) and changed and rechanged the settings. I've changed the dvd to output 480i and then 480p. Nothing helps.

My video status screen continues to show Composite to hdmi even though I have selected component video input and turned off the other options.

Does anyone have a 480 device connected via component cables and outputted via hdmi that is working?

You have, of course, arrived at your opinions after double blind testing using the same speakers in the same room.

That would be great, but why would it have to be blind? It is not like it used to be when you plugged in analog outputs into your receiver and output 2 channel stereo to your speakers. These things post process beyond all get out, and it is quite distinguishable to me.

I just bought two new receivers to replace my older Yamaha RX-V992; an Onkyo TX-SR605 and Yamaha RX-V663. Both machine use microphone and repetitive test tones in each channel to set x-over, levels, and EQ of each channel. The results of the two machines were notably different after cal. This was verified by looking at the parameters that Audyssey (Onkyo) and YPAO (Yamaha) set after calcualtions were completed. I wasn't pleased with the final results from either set, so adjusted them slightly to take best advantage of each speakers strengths. They were now closer, but still not identical as EQ is not adjustable.

Now, if he disables all receivers calibration settings and runs two channel into and out through analog (or some form of complete bypass/direct mode), then I'd bet we would have a valid argument for DBT. But these devices just don't operate that way anymore, nor do I believe people want them too. I dsay we have to take ttheir subjuctive opinions with a grain of salt, for the way one has his/hers set in post processing with their transducers in their rooms may act totally different in another room with a different brand of speakers.

When I would swap out my Carver preamp and Adcom GFA amp in my old two channel rig for a Yamaha AX-500U integrated amp instead, I was hard pressed to tell any differences until levels near/at clipping were reached on the Yamaha. But these new multichannel rigs don't play by the same rules anymore and they can indeed sound very different, especially with those various manufacturers version of room correction software are running. Just my .02 from recent purchases and experience.

Got a V863 yesterday to replace my Onkyo 705. I was happy with the HTPC performance with my 705, but really want to try how cinema DSP sound.

However i am disappointed. asign from the video clipping from 0-255 to 16-235, the V863 cannot take HDMI audio from my HTPC. My PC setup is HD2600 and 690g which has no problem outputing HDMI to my onkyo. I have tried all old dated driver but none of them works. Check the system again and again and found that V863 takes the HDMI signal as DVI.

Any brothers having the same problem? or is it just me? if your HTPC works with V963. please list your spec... I am so upset for the whole day today...

Got a V863 yesterday to replace my Onkyo 705. I was happy with the HTPC performance with my 705, but really want to try how cinema DSP sound.

However i am disappointed. asign from the video clipping from 0-255 to 16-235, the V863 cannot take HDMI audio from my HTPC. My PC setup is HD2600 and 690g which has no problem outputing HDMI to my onkyo. I have tried all old dated driver but none of them works. Check the system again and again and found that V863 takes the HDMI signal as DVI.

Any brothers having the same problem? or is it just me? if your HTPC works with V963. please list your spec... I am so upset for the whole day today...

This is kinda alarming for me.. as my long term goal will be to do hdmi audio from my pc as well.. though ill be using the ati 4850 which will support hdmi audio and truehd from bluray sources on the pc..
(actually curious what will be different between the hd2600 and the radeon 4850.. i guess that the 4850 will be full 7.1 sound perhaps?)..

I wonder why the audio isnt being passed.. ie: if you hook a bluray player to the 863.. does it not output truehd audio from the hdmi?

This is kinda alarming for me.. as my long term goal will be to do hdmi audio from my pc as well.. though ill be using the ati 4850 which will support hdmi audio and truehd from bluray sources on the pc..
(actually curious what will be different between the hd2600 and the radeon 4850.. i guess that the 4850 will be full 7.1 sound perhaps?)..

I wonder why the audio isnt being passed.. ie: if you hook a bluray player to the 863.. does it not output truehd audio from the hdmi?

bluray player, no problem
ps3, no problem
xbox360, no problem
full HDMI audio and video

the only problem is the PC... did a search on google saying that the HD2xxx series DVI>HDMI dongle has HDMI handshaking problem... the new dongle for HD3xxx fixed this problem... but I cannot confirm that.. as my 2600 works fine with my onkyo 705...

I plan to get a HD3450 to test on my V863 again. I will post the result here.

I don't think ATI will release 4850 so soon. They haven't really confirmed the final spec yet. i don't mind if they do not include full HDMI 1.3 features, as long as the card allows me to output 5.1 or 7.1 PCM to my receiver.

bluray player, no problem
ps3, no problem
xbox360, no problem
full HDMI audio and video

the only problem is the PC... did a search on google saying that the HD2xxx series DVI>HDMI dongle has HDMI handshaking problem... the new dongle for HD3xxx fixed this problem... but I cannot confirm that.. as my 2600 works fine with my onkyo 705...

I plan to get a HD3450 to test on my V863 again. I will post the result here.

I don't think ATI will release 4850 so soon. They haven't really confirmed the final spec yet. i don't mind if they do not include full HDMI 1.3 features, as long as the card allows me to output 5.1 or 7.1 PCM to my receiver.

I've heard june 23rd on the 4850.. here is the thread if you havent seen it:

What about the xbox 360.. currently i set the component to 1080p and it plugs directly into the tv.. can i just plug the components into the 863 and have it output to 1080p via the hdmi or would i have to stick with component out from the receiver to keep the 1080p ? (still trying to find reason to go with the 863 over the 663 besides the radio)...

I actually have the RX-V1800 model, (and the snips below are from the 1800 manual)
but I'm pretty sure the RX-V863 is the same in regards to scaling/transcoding.

For an XBOX 360 user, the 863 offers nothing over the 663 in regards to upscaling/upconversion for Gaming,
unless you wish to play a SD DVD movie at 480i/p in your non-Elite 360 and want it upconverted and upscaled to 1080p over HDMI.
That can only be done with the 863/1800, not the 663.

I have had an RX-V661, and most recently an RX-V1800
and thats the only difference in regards to resolution/scaling.
(All my toys are HDMI except for my non-Elite 360)

The same findings would come from a 663 vs 863 comparison.(for an XBOX 360)

BTW, Do you have an Elite 360? I was sure my non-HDMI 360 maxed out at 1080i over component...although I've heard it could do 1080p over VGA.
...couldnt be bothered anyway, I use my PS3 almost exclusively now.

My First Home Theater...When a Kuro plasma still isnt enough, make your movie Experience Larger than Life with a Projector!

I actually have the RX-V1800 model, (and the snips below are from the 1800 manual)
but I'm pretty sure the RX-V863 is the same in regards to scaling/transcoding.

For an XBOX 360 user, the 863 offers nothing over the 663 in regards to upscaling/upconversion for Gaming,
unless you wish to play a SD DVD movie at 480i/p in your non-Elite 360 and want it upconverted and upscaled to 1080p over HDMI.
That can only be done with the 863/1800, not the 663.

I have had an RX-V661, and most recently an RX-V1800
and thats the only difference in regards to resolution/scaling.
(All my toys are HDMI except for my non-Elite 360)

The same findings would come from a 663 vs 863 comparison.(for an XBOX 360)

BTW, Do you have an Elite 360? I was sure my non-HDMI 360 maxed out at 1080i over component...although I've heard it could do 1080p over VGA.
...couldnt be bothered anyway, I use my PS3 almost exclusively now.

I have the non elite one.. component only.. there was an update that became available i think last year making it possible for games to be upscaled to 1080p via component.. i'm just hoping i can plug in the component into the receiver and have it come out the hdmi 1080p.

I have the non elite one.. component only.. there was an update that became available i think last year making it possible for games to be upscaled to 1080p via component.. i'm just hoping i can plug in the component into the receiver and have it come out the hdmi 1080p.

So what is the difference scaling wise between the 863 and 663?

The 663 does not up-scale or up-convert, at all.
It can only transcode component video and output as HDMI.
(no change in resolution)

The 863 can transcode just like the 663, But can also up-scale*
*but only 480i/p can be upconverted to 720p/1080i/p.

I see no reason why you cant pass 1080p through HDMI or Component.
...as long as you're not trying to upscale 1080i to 1080p (That's what I thought you were asking)

Curious.. can the 863 matrix 5.1 bluray audio into 7.1 (both PCM and bitstream).. apparently with the 663 is can only matrix already decoded (PCM) audio information...

**It would appear the Onkyo 606 can matrix both pcm and bitstream..

**how important or useful is this feature.. does it sound that much better on 5.1 sources.. are most blurays using 5.1 sources to the point where this could be important if your bluray player doesnt decode and send PCM?

Curious.. can the 863 matrix 5.1 bluray audio into 7.1 (both PCM and bitstream).. apparently with the 663 is can only matrix already decoded (PCM) audio information...

**It would appear the Onkyo 606 can matrix both pcm and bitstream..

**how important or useful is this feature.. does it sound that much better on 5.1 sources.. are most blurays using 5.1 sources to the point where this could be important if your bluray player doesnt decode and send PCM?

Thanks

I'm guessing noone knows on this one.. or hasnt tried it yet perhaps?

*if it was capable of matrixing bitstreamed truehd signals.. this would be a huge bonus in my bank.

Do either of these (663 or 863) support bass management on the direct analog inputs? I'm currently using an Outlaw analog x-over for bass management when playing DVD-Audio, but i'd like to eliminate the extra component when i upgrade my receiver (my old rx-v995 is dieing )

I was experimenting with the upscalling and I notice that it causes a "shakiness" or "jumping" when set to anything other than 1080i or 'passthrough'.

My display can't do 1080P so 1080i is the highest that I can test with. What I see is

When set to passthrough, all is fine. Same with 1080i.
When set to 720P, the picture starts to shake. Shaking is even more at 480.

Was curious if anyone else noticed this.

This combined with the BTB/WTW clipping...I'm thinking of returning it and shopping around some more.

I just got the RX-V861 today and noticed the same thing. I have my DirectTV (S-Video) and PS2 (component) hooked up to try the upscaling. If I set it to pass through, of course no change in quality. When I set to 480p, 720p or 1080i it blurs the image a bit and the menu shakes slightly. Also the channel guide for DTV is slightly blurred.

I have a philips upscaling DVD player that is set to 720p and it looks crisp. What's the deal with the receiver? Am I missing something?

It works on all resolutions. Do you get video with 480p or 720p? I just have the PS2 plugged into the DVD component jacks with an HDMI cable to the TV. Upscale works on DTV S-Video, PS2, Xbox, Wii component upscaled to 480/720p or 1080i.

It works on all resolutions. Do you get video with 480p or 720p? I just have the PS2 plugged into the DVD component jacks with an HDMI cable to the TV. Upscale works on DTV S-Video, PS2, Xbox, Wii component upscaled to 480/720p or 1080i.

I haven't tried other output resolutions. I'll give it a try tomorrow (45 holes of golf scheduled for today).

I just got the RX-V861 today and noticed the same thing. I have my DirectTV (S-Video) and PS2 (component) hooked up to try the upscaling. If I set it to pass through, of course no change in quality. When I set to 480p, 720p or 1080i it blurs the image a bit and the menu shakes slightly. Also the channel guide for DTV is slightly blurred.

I have a philips upscaling DVD player that is set to 720p and it looks crisp. What's the deal with the receiver? Am I missing something?

For me, its more than just the menu thats blurred. Its the picture of source material that is being sent through. In other words, if the on-screen menu had a quirk, I could live with it...but as it is, the video isn't watchable unless set to passthrough.

I've tried different cables, different hdmi inputs on my tv...

Either there's a MAJOR problem with the video upscalling on these units, or a Quality issue since we both seem to have the same problem.